JFH Indie Review

The Ashamed & Shunned is a solo hip-hop artist hailing from Kokomo, Indiana. The Ashamed & Shunned is back again with his newest EP, Walking Contradiction, following 2017's album Kill Your Coward. TA&S brings a sort of low-tech version of hip-hop, but manages to produce catchy beats and capture solid production. An example of this "low-tech" approach is what sounds to be an 80's Casio keyboard set to mandolin on the opening track, "Still Unworthy." The lyrics in that opening number are a prayer and proclaim, "Born again; still unworthy of Your love. Please, oh Lord, please don't turn me away." The next track, "Walking Contradiction," is likely the best of the trio of songs presented; the beats are solid and so is the flow. The lyrics talk about a guy (Frankie the Frankenstein) who leads a very different private and personal life. "In the Dojo" is the final track on the EP and is my least favorite of the three. The music brings back some of the low-tech sound with some nearly 8-bit sounding keyboard. The song gives praise to Christ, but is a song more about TA&S himself. There's nothing wrong with that, but the substance of the previous two tracks make them stand above. The hook proclaims, "I don't care about the money or the fame; I just wanna make this music, make it news, and praise His name. Thank God for blessing me with the deed to speak and a righteous flow; for making me the realest mo fo in dojo." Vocally, The Ashamed & Shunned can perhaps be best compared to Rudy Nielson from the rap-core band .rod laver. He has a very gruff voice, but it works well within his sound. If you're looking for a different variation to the type of hip-hop you've been listening to, The Ashamed & Shunned may be right up your alley. It's hard to come up with a direct comparison, but fans of .rod laver's Uprok release, Rudolph Wayne vs. The Man, or perhaps fans of a rapper like Krum, may be the best in which to make a recommendation. I would encourage hip-hop fans in general to give TA&S's unique take on the genre at least one listen through.
- Review date: 2/20/19, written by Michael Weaver of Jesusfreakhideout.com